Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr
Professor of Clarinet
Michigan State University
Anthony Gigliotti was a real powerhouse in the clarinet world versatile enough to serve as principal clarinetist in one of the worlds best orchestras yet have the time and expertise to develop new style clarinets, mouthpieces and ligatures and, while he was at it, write about the clarinet he was the ultimate Renaissance man among clarinetists. Each time the Clarinet Magazine arrived in the mail, I would automatically turn first to his articles which were always instructive and absorbing, particularly his reminiscences of conductors with whom he worked over the years. And, of course, his playing career was legendary both for its length and quality of performance once in the car radio I heard a live broadcast of a particularly noteworthy version of Capriccio Espanol and naturally waited until the end to learn what orchestra and what clarinetist it was of course Tony and I later realized he must have been at least 70 when he played that with such panache and virtuosity!
I wish I had known better I only had a few lessons with him early in my career and saw him only rarely after that but I thought he was just terrific. The influence from those lessons has lasted to this day just as his influence has touched many players all over the world for so many years. He will long be remembered for his myriad contributions to the clarinet world he made the clarinet and clarinet playing better and the clarinet world is made poorer by his passing.